Report : Knaresborough (A)

There was only 2 minutes on the clock when Knaresborough’s Danny Edwards launched a two-footed assault on Emley’s Tom Haigh - catching him with full force just below the knee.

As Haigh was forced from the field as a result, the entire ground waited for the inevitable red card and Edwards to follow him with an early exit. But to everyone’s amazement, referee Dominic Hawkins deemed the shocking challenge worthy only of a yellow card.

To add insult to the actually injury, it was Edwards who put the hosts ahead moments later. A long throw wasn’t cleared and, as Emley goalkeeper Declan Lambton tried to mop up behind, Edwards was able to slot Knaresborough ahead.

A shellshocked Emley tried to get a grip of the game but it was difficult on a claggy pitch and with the hosts game plan seemingly intent on preventing much football being played with fouls - big and small - and deliberate time wasting.

Emley did have chances though. A mini-scramble after a Ross Hardaker cross from the left saw Sam Pashley strike but goalkeeper Thomas Brown on the spot to scoop off his toes. It wouldn’t be the last time Brown was the Town hero.

A similar move a minute later saw Ruben Jerome cross but this time Brown was first to the ball to snuff out the danger.

The foul count overtook the number chances as the first half drew to a niggly finish - with referee Hawkins eventually deciding to brandish a card for a robust challenge on Joe Kenny.

HT Knaresborough 1 - 0 Emley AFC

The second half saw Brown called upon early to maintain his team’s lead - collecting another pair of crosses as Emley continued to try and exploit their pace on the flanks.

The third such move in quick succession saw the games next flash-point, Brown narrowly beat the on-rushing James Walshaw to the ball but Walshaw arrived with a foot up and made contact with the goalkeeper. To the frustration of the Emley contingent, this time the referee couldn’t wait to brandish a red card.

The dismissal seemed to move the Emley team up a gear and near constant pressure from the Pewits brought its reward - eventually.

Before Ruben Jerome’s equaliser, he had an effort sail just wide from 20 yards out, a Pashley header also went agonisingly the wrong side of the upright and the ‘keeper made a string of good stops.

As the clock ran down, Brown’s luck ran out and, after misjudging a cross from the right, Jerome bundled home.

With the equaliser, Knaresborough looked a spent force and Emley pushed for all three points but were thwarted by more time wasting and ‘keeper Brown making amends for the earlier misjudgment - included a good save from substitute Jimmy Eyles.

The corner never came though as the referee called time and although Emley will be happy to secure a point in the circumstances but it comes at a price with the loss of Haigh through injury and a suspension for Walshaw.

FT Knaresborough 1 - 1 Emley AFC

Attendance 258

TEAM – Lambton, Pashley, Hardaker, Metcalfe (C), Barks, Cowgill, Haigh, Kenny, Jerome, Gooden, Walshaw

SUBS – Used – Clegg, Lawrence, Eyles, Walker
Unused – Curtis

MOXON & CO. MAN OF THE MATCH
Alex Metcalfe